About Muskoka County, ON

With picture perfect weather we have just had one of the best weekends on record for the summer.

All is quite now, as the sun very slowly settles and softly dips behind the hills, as we enjoy one last sunset sitting on the beach in Muskoka. The rainy weather of the early weeks of summer have faded into fond memories of a time of watching the children frolic in the water, a time of relaxation, a time of rejuvenation and expectation, and preparation.

The Labour Day week end is the signal that summer is drawing to a close. It heralds the end of the Canadian National Exhibition and a reminder that fall is not too far away. For some it means the end of summer jobs and preparing for the return to school for others, who live in the country as we do, it is a reminder of a longer trip to work as we patiently wait for that big yellow bus to pick up children bound for school.

What better way to approach the eve of summer than with the absolutely gorgeous weekend we have just enjoyed. What a glorious way to end the Summer Vacation.

In 1990 Jack and Linda Hutton honeymooned on Prince Edward Island where they learned that L.M. Montgomery holidayed for two weeks in Bala in 1922 and based her book "The Blue Castle" upon her time there. This book was written during the time she lived in Leaskdale.

Jack and Linda Bought the former tourist home where Montgomery had her meals after hearing it might be torn down. Upon purchasing the 1909 home they spent a year restoring it to the 1920's era. Since it opened in 1992 as a Museum that has attracted close to 90,000 visitors.

They have on display first edition copies of all of LMM's 22 books along with copies of many of her books in other languages. They have a silver tea set, on loan from her grandson David Macdonald, that was one of her wedding gift. One of the exhibits is the boat that sank under Megan Fellows in the TV movie "Anne of Green Gables". They also have hand written excerpts and photos of LMM's Bala Diary.

For more information about this and other Muskoka Museums visit the Muskoka Tourism Site. This site is a wealth of tourist related events, places to see and things to do. You can fill your calendar every week with things to see and do

The warfs in Gravenhurst, Muskoka were all but empty when I shot these Photos but on On Sat July 5th they will be a bee hive of activity as they play host to the 28th annual Antique and Classic Boat Show. A place for the young to dream and and the old to reminisce. A place to see History come alive once again.

"The theme for this years show is "GO Slow Boats" and the joys of cruising slowly. There will be a contingent From the Dispro Owners Association showing off their collection of boats built originally in Port Carling and were also built in Lindsay, Tonawanda, and finally in Gravenhurst in a factory that once stood adjacent to the show site."(Gerry Lodge, Show Committee Chair, Muskoka Life July 2008)

The Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre has an exibit on all things Dispro. These artifacts will be on display all summer long. If you miss the show and love historic old boats a visit to the centre would be very enjoyable.

There will be something for everyone here starting with the ever popular field of dreams with a wide array of boats just waiting for someone looking to restore an old dream boat. The traditional flea market will be back where you can check to see if that missing part you so desperately are looking for may be hidden away and of course there will be many vendors with everything from "A" to "Z" of boating.

Children under 12 are free and there will be a special tent where they will be able to build and paint model boats.

Some of the anticipated entries in this years show include a 1906 Truscott, a 1906 Fay and Bowen day cruiser, a 1905 26 ft Minett canoe. There will be Minett's and Greavettes,Dispros and Ditchburns, canoes and steamers all in all likely one of the finest collections of classic and antique boats to be found in one place.

Grand Old Ladies Of The Lake

The Wenonah II The Wanda III The Segwun and The Wenonah II -- click on images for larger picture

Its a wonderful way to spend a day and learn about the history and charm of "GO SLOW BOATING"

I must say that on a personal note the 1990's for me were real learning years. I always had 2 investment properties going ( I usually lived in one) and began sourcing out and studying the economics of what drives real estate. I can remember countless weekends scanning the classifieds ( yes before the web was big!!) looking for properties to invest in.

I was in the music business manufacturing and distributing throughout the US and Canada up until 2002. That is when "IT" hit me. I fell flat on my back in the hospital in excruciating pain. They eventually operated and found I had been born with a defective bowel. They removed it and all is well. But it was during the recovery period that I decided to go through a mid-life crisis. I (for some reason) did not want to stay in the music business any longer. BUT I did not have a clear picture of what else I wanted to do.

It was during this time that I discovered the magic of setting goals....

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